Mechanical lock for a removable hard disk drive and a removable memory card

ABSTRACT

A combined removable hard disk drive and removable memory card mechanical lock which provides a portable computer user with an easy and cost effective arrangement to lock inside the computer expensive modular components such as a hard disk drive and memory cards. When installed on a portable computer, the combined lock will prevent the removable hard disk drive and removable memory cards from being removed from the portable computer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to the field of portable computers andmore specifically to a mechanical lock for preventing the removal from alaptop or notebook computer of modular components such as a removablehard disk drive and a memory card.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable computers, such as laptop and notebook computers, now includeports that can accommodate modular components such as hard disk drives,memory cards and modems that can be removed, swapped out or upgraded.The housings for such portable computers have been downsized to thepoint that the internal spatial requirements of such computers haverequired the establishment of standards for the internal accessories ofthe computer. One set of standards applicable to memory cards has beendeveloped by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association(PCMCIA). The PCMCIA has determined that the standard size of all memorycards used in portable computers should be approximately 55 mm in width,85 mm in length and 5 mm in depth. Communications card manufacturershave adopted the PCMCIA standards for their communications cards toensure compatibility and spatial conformity with computers utilizing thePCMCIA standards.

The constraints imposed by the PCMCIA standards have resulted in thedevelopment of "credit card" communications cards. For instance, most ofthe components formerly housed within a modem are now contained within acredit card-sized wafer.

The modularity of the hard disk drive, memory cards and communicationscards has led to the need for security devices that will prevent theftor vandalism of such components.

As a solution to this problem, removable hard disk drive locks arecurrently being offered on some portable computer products. Forinstance, the IBM Thinkpad™ notebook computer has a sheet metal hook andring feature that slides out from the base of the computer. To lock thehard disk drive, the sheet metal hook and ring feature is pulled out anda small padlock is attached to the ring. The hooks engage and lock thehard disk drive when the sheet metal hook and ring feature is pulled outand the lock prevents the hooks from being disengaged from the hard diskdrive. However, such a locking device has certain disadvantages. Forinstance, when the lock is installed it does not allow the notebook tosit flat. Also, the installation of this lock on a notebook computerrequires several additional parts and adds complexity to the plasticstooling of the base of the notebook chassis.

It has also been proposed to provide a solenoid lock for memory cardeject mechanisms. A solenoid lock, however, would be costly, wouldconsume valuable battery power and would be prone to reliabilityproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing problems are solved and a technical advance is achieved bya mechanical lock for engagement with the chassis of a computer thatprevents the removal of one or both of a removable hard disk drive and aremovable memory card.

In one illustrative embodiment, the mechanical lock comprises a lockingmember that is adapted to prevent the opening of a door to a hard diskdrive compartment in the chassis of a portable computer. According tothis embodiment, the door to the hard disk drive compartment ismaintained in a closed position by a sliding bar which engages thechassis of the portable computer. To provide access to the compartment,the sliding bar must be disengaged from the chassis. The locking memberof the mechanical lock engages the sliding bar and prevents thedisengagement of the bar from the chassis. Accordingly, when themechanical lock is installed on a portable computer and the lockingmember is engaged with the sliding bar, a removable hard disk drivedisposed in the hard disk drive compartment is locked within theportable computer.

In this embodiment, the mechanical lock also includes a flange thatprevents the ejection of a memory card from a memory card slot disposedin the chassis of a portable computer. The flange may cover and preventactuation of the memory card eject buttons or may partially block thememory card slots. Accordingly, when the mechanical lock is installed ona portable computer, a removable memory card disposed in a memory cardslot is locked within the portable computer.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the flange of themechanical lock is disposed in the path of and prevents the opening ofthe door to the hard disk drive compartment. Accordingly, when themechanical lock of this embodiment is installed on a portable computer,a removable hard disk drive disposed in the hard disk drive compartmentis locked within the portable computer.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the lockingmember of the mechanical lock engages the door to the hard disk drivecompartment and prevents the opening of the door. Accordingly, when themechanical lock of this embodiment is installed on a portable computer,a removable hard disk drive disposed in the hard disk drive compartmentis locked within the portable computer.

A technical advantage achieved with the invention is that the user of aportable computer has an easy and cost effective arrangement by which tolock expensive modular components such as a hard disk drive or memorycards inside the portable computer. When installed, the mechanical lockadvantageously prevents one or both of a removable hard disk drive andremovable memory cards from being removed from the portable computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mechanical lock and a portablecomputer according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of the engagement of the mechanical lock and theportable computer according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a first embodiment of the mechanical lockof the present invention installed on a portable computer;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of the mechanical lockof the present invention installed on a portable computer;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a third embodiment of the mechanical lockof the present invention installed on a portable computer; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a fourth embodiment of the mechanical lockof the present invention installed on a portable computer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10 designates a mechanical lockembodying features of the present invention and the reference numeral 12designates a portable computer embodying features of the presentinvention. The portable computer 12 includes a chassis 14, a keyboard 16and a screen 18. The portable computer 12 also includes memory cardslots 20, 20' with corresponding memory card eject buttons 22, 22'. Asis customary in the art, the memory card slots 20, 20' are adapted toreceive various modular components for a portable computer such asmemory cards and communications cards that are configured to comply withPCMCIA size standards. Memory cards can be interacted with the portablecomputer 12 by inserting the cards in either slot 20 or 20'. When it isdesired to remove the memory card from the portable computer 12, thememory card eject button 22 is depressed, releasing the card from withinthe portable computer 12.

The portable computer 12 also includes a hinged door 24 providing accessto a hard disk drive compartment disposed in the chassis 14. The door 24is maintained in a closed position by a sliding bar 26 which includes adepressed tongue 28. When the tongue 28 is in an extended position asshown in FIG. 1, it engages the inside surface of the chassis 14 of theportable computer 12, thus preventing the opening of the door 24. Whenit is desired to provide access to the hard disk drive compartment, thesliding bar 26 is moved to the right, releasing the tongue 28 from thechassis 14 and allowing the door 24 to be opened, preferably by pivotingthe door 24 about its hinges (not shown) which are disposed at the lowerportion of the portable computer 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cylindrical opening 30 is provided in the chassis14 of the portable computer 12. The cylindrical opening 30 registerswith an aperture 32 in the tongue 28 so that when the tongue 28 is inits fully extended position, the aperture 32 is visible through thecylindrical opening 30.

The mechanical lock 10 includes a cylindrical lock body 34 and a lockingmember 36. An end 38 of the locking member 36 is adapted to pass throughthe aperture 32 in the tongue 28. The other end of the locking member 36is adapted to receive a key 40 for rotating the locking member 36 from avertical unlocked position as shown in FIG. 1 to a horizontal lockedposition as shown in FIG. 2.

The mechanical lock 10 also includes a cylindrical flange 42 disposedabout the cylindrical lock body 34. The outer diameter of the flange 42is greater than the outer diameter of the lock body 34. Optionally, acable 44 may be attached to the mechanical lock 10. It is understoodthat the cable 44 may be utilized to lock the portable computer 12 to asecure object. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that aKensington Microsaver lock may be utilized as the mechanical lock 10.

The mechanical lock 10 is installed on a portable computer 12 byinserting lock body 34 into the cylindrical opening 30 in chassis 14 andconsequently inserting the end 38 of locking member 36 into the aperture32 in tongue 28. The key 40 is inserted into the locking member 36 andis rotated about its axis to rotate the end 38 of the locking member 36from a vertical unlocked position to a horizontal locked position. Asshown in FIG. 2, when the end 38 of locking member 36 is rotated into ahorizontal locked position, the end 38 of locking member 36 is capturedbehind the tongue 28. In this manner, the tongue 28 cannot be disengagedfrom the chassis 14 and the door 24 consequently cannot be opened toprovide access to the hard disk drive compartment. Thus, a removablehard disk drive disposed within the hard disk drive compartment islocked within the portable computer 12.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,the end 38 of locking member 36 is configured as a "T" shaped member andthe aperture 32 is a vertically oriented slot. The end 38 of lockingmember 36 is designed to pass through the aperture 32 in the tongue 28of sliding bar 26 and may be rotated 90° to lockingly engage themechanical lock 10 and the portable computer 12. It will be understoodthat the end 38 of locking member 36 and the aperture 32 of tongue 28may be configured in various other lockingly cooperative configurationsthat are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the mechanical lock 10 is installed on aportable computer 12, the cylindrical flange 42 covers the memory cardeject buttons 22, 22' and prevents the buttons from being actuated torelease any modular components disposed within the memory card slots 20,20'.

Thus, when the mechanical lock 10 depicted in FIGS. 1-3 is installed ona portable computer 12, it prevents the unauthorized removal from theportable computer 12 of removable memory cards and a removable hard diskdrive.

As mentioned above, a cable 44 optionally may be attached to themechanical lock 10. It will be understood that the cable 44 may beutilized to attach the portable computer 12 to a secure object.

Alternate embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 4-6 in whichlike parts are designated by the same reference numerals as in FIGS.1-3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mechanical lock 10 of the present invention maybe utilized to prevent the unauthorized removal of removable memorycards from within a portable computer 112 by orienting the cylindricalflange 42 to block the memory card slots 120, 120' rather than thememory card eject buttons 122, 122'.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and in a manner similar to theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, when the mechanical lock 10 is installedon a portable computer 112, the end 38 of locking member 36 engages theaperture 32 in tongue 28 to prevent the tongue 28 from being disengagedfrom the chassis 114 consequently preventing access to the hard diskdrive compartment by preventing the door 24 from being opened. Thus, aremovable hard disk drive disposed within the hard disk drivecompartment is locked within the portable computer 112.

As shown in FIG. 5, the mechanical lock 10 of the present invention maybe utilized to prevent the unauthorized removal of removable memorycards from within a portable computer 212 by orienting the cylindricalflange 42 to block the memory card slots 220, 220'. The mechanical lock10 may also be utilized to prevent the unauthorized removal of aremovable hard disk drive by orienting the cylindrical flange 42 in thepath of the door 24 to the disk drive compartment to block and preventthe opening of the door 24. In this configuration, the tongue 228 ofsliding bar 226 does not include an aperture for engagement with the end38 of the locking member 36. Instead, when the mechanical lock 10 isinstalled on a portable computer 212, the end 38 of locking member 36engages an aperture (not shown) in chassis 214 and is captured behindthe chassis 214 when in a locked position.

As shown in FIG. 6, the mechanical lock 10 of the present invention maybe installed on a portable computer 312 to prevent the unauthorizedremoval of a removable hard disk drive by blocking and preventing theopening of the hinged door 324 to the disk drive compartment. In thisconfiguration, the door 324 and the sliding bar 326 includescorresponding openings 30 ' for engagement with the end 38 of thelocking member. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and in a mannersimilar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, when the mechanical lock10 is installed on the portable computer 312, the end 38 of lockingmember 36 engages the opening in sliding bar 326 to prevent the tongue328 from being disengaged from the chassis 314 consequently preventingaccess to the hard disk drive compartment by preventing the door 324from being opened. It is understood that the mechanical lock 10 of thisembodiment may or may not include the flange 42.

It is understood that the present invention can take many forms andembodiments. The embodiments shown herein are intended to illustraterather than to limit the invention, it being appreciated that variationsmay be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of theinvention. For example, it is anticipated that the invention may be usedto lock any number of modular components to the chassis of a portablecomputer. In addition to removable hard disk drives and removable memorycards, other removable components may be locked within a portablecomputer. Also, various types of locking devices may employ principlesof the invention.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, a wide range of modification, change and substitution isintended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some featuresof the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use ofthe other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appendedclaims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable computer and lock combination,comprising:a portable computer comprising a chassis having a hard diskdrive compartment and a door for opening and closing said hard diskdrive compartment and at least one card receiving slot; and a lockcomprising a lock body and locking means disposed at one end of saidlock body and a flange disposed about said lock body; said lock beinglockingly engageable by said locking means with an opening in saidchassis such that when said lock is so engaged said flange preventscards from being removed from said at least one card receiving slot; andsaid flange further prevents said door from being opened such that saiddoor is maintained in a closed position. said lock therebysimultaneously securing both said at least one card receiving slot andsaid disk drive compartment of said computer from unauthorized accessthereto.
 2. A portable computer and lock combination, comprising:aportable computer comprising a chassis having at least one cardreceiving slot, a drive compartment and door for opening and dosing saiddrive compartment, said door including a sliding member engageable withsaid chassis between an open and closed position; and a lock comprisinga lock body, locking means disposed at one end of said lock body and aflange disposed about said lock body; said lock being locking engageableby said locking means within an opening in said chassis and acorresponding opening in said sliding member, such that when said lockis so engaged said lock body prevents translation of said slidingmember, thereby maintaining said door in said dosed position; andfurther wherein when said lock is lockingly engaged with said chassissaid flange prevents removable components from being removed from saidat least one card receiving slot. said lock thereby simultaneouslysecuring both said at least one card receiving slot and said drivecompartment of said computer from unauthorized access thereto.
 3. Thecombination of claim 2 wherein said flange at least partially obstructssaid at least one card receiving slot.
 4. The combination of claim 2wherein said chassis further comprises means for ejecting a card fromsaid at least one card receiving slot and wherein said flange at leastpartially obstructs and prevents the actuation of said ejecting means.5. The combination of claim 2 wherein said locking means isreciprocatable between a first unlocked position and a second lockedposition, said chassis opening for receiving said lock body and saidsliding member opening registering with said chassis opening allowingpassage of said locking means in said first unlocked position andpreventing passage of said locking means in said second locked position.6. Apparatus for securing removable modular components of a computer,the computer including a chassis for removably housing the components,the apparatus comprising:a door defined in said chassis having a slidingbar which includes a tongue disposed in said chassis, said door forcovering at least one said modular component and said tongue beingslidably engageable within said chassis between an open and closedposition of said door; an aperture defined in said door; a lockreceivable in said aperture for locking engagement with said chassis; anaperture defined in said bar for receiving said lock, said door aperturebeing in alignment with said bar aperture when said door is in saidclosed position; such that in said locking engagement, said lock isreceived in both said door and bar apertures, thus preventing saidtongue from sliding to said open position, thereby securing saidcomponent.
 7. A lock for preventing the removal of cards and modularcomponents from a portable computer, said computer having a drivecompartment for housing said modular components and a door for openingand closing said drive compartment, and having a card receiving slot forreceiving said cards, said computer further having a chassis containingan opening therein in proximity to both said door and said cardreceiving slot, the lock comprising:a lock body adapted to be receivedin said chassis opening; reciprocating locking means disposed at one endof said lock body adapted to be lockingly engaged with the chassis ofsaid portable computer; and a flange disposed about said lock bodyadapted to simultaneously prevent the removal of said cards from saidcard receiving slot and said modular components from said drivecompartment.
 8. The lock of claim 7, wherein said flange extends beyondthe outer perimeter of said lock body.
 9. The lock of claim 7, whereinsaid lock body is cylindrical and said flange extends beyond the outerperimeter of said lock body.
 10. The lock of claim 7, wherein said lockbody and said flange are cylindrical and said flange extends beyond theouter perimeter of said lock body.
 11. The lock of claim 7, furthercomprising a cable attached to said lock body.